Control the invasive japanese beetle which is a quarantined pest not yet established in oregon

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $162,142 to the Oregon Department of Agriculture on June 1, 2026, to control and eradicate the invasive Japanese beetle in Oregon using biological control methods.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture will deploy Japanese beetle traps to collect samples from infested areas, train scientists to isolate and identify the beetle pathogen as a biological control agent, and establish a biological control program on homeowner property where the pathogen is present. The agency will produce a comparative report documenting program outcomes and treatment results between areas treated with biological control and those treated with conventional insecticides, along with a methods document for future biocontrol work on this pest in Oregon. These activities support Oregon's $1.2 billion annual nursery industry, which currently faces export restrictions and costly insecticide treatments, trapping, and permitting requirements due to Japanese beetle infestation. The biological control approach targets areas where insecticide use is infeasible, such as wetlands and other sensitive sites, with the goal of suppressing populations sufficiently to enable successful eradication.

The period of performance runs from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027. Work is performed in Oregon.

Oregon is actively working on eradicating the pest in order to support the $1.2 billion / YR nursery industry, and biological control will support this effort. Activities to be performed: japanese beetle traps will be used to collect samples from infested areas in oregon. Scientists will be trained how to isolate the pathogen which is an effective control agent. If IT is present, they will establish a biological control program on homeowner property. Deliverables and expected outcomes: this beetle pathogen could be used in areas where insecticide control is not feasible (e.g. wetlands, other sensitive sites) with the goal of suppressing populations so eradication can be successful. This will support the nursery and horticultural industries of oregon. A report will be produced with details about the program including a comparison between areas treated with biocontrol and those treated by conventional insecticides. A methods document will be produced for future work on biocontrol of this pest insect in oregon. Intended beneficiary(IES): infestation requires nursery exports to undergo costly insecticide treatments, trapping, and permitting. This cuts into the narrow profit margin of oregon's nursery industry, harming competition and the ability to export.